She was known as "Beauteous Butch," wife of the "top jet ace of the world" in the Korean Conflict, Captain Joseph C. McConnell II, who preceded her in death Aug. 25, 1955. He was testing the F86H at Edwards Air Force Base when he was killed.

McConnell's wife, Pearl "Butch" McConnell, died in 2008 at the age of 86. She never remarried and was buried with Captain McConnell at Victor Valley Memorial Park in Victorville, California.

May 6, 2008 · VICTORVILLE— Faithful to a promise never to remarry, Pearl "Butch" McConnell lived up to her husband's nickname for her, living 54 years as a strong widow and a good mother to her daughters and...

Feb 2, 2023 · For the first time in 70 years, two women associated with the late ace fighter pilot Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. will celebrate a reunion in Palm Springs on Saturday.

May 7, 2008 · Pearl (Butch) McConnell, 87, of La Quinta, CA passed away on May 2, 2008 at home with her family at her side. She was known as "Beauteous Butch" wife of the "Top Jet Ace of the World" in the...

A happy Heavenly birthday to "Butch" McConnell, wife of Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. who named his ships "Beauteous Butch" in honor of his wife. My book on Capt. McConnell tells the story of a supremely audacious promise Lt. McConnell made to his wife before he left George AFB for Korea where he became the greatest jet ace in American history.

Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr. in the cockpit of his F-86, which shows his 16 kills as red stars. “Beauteous Butch” referred to his nickname for his wife, Pearl. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr. in the cockpit of his F-86, which shows his 16 kills as red stars. “Beauteous Butch” referred to his nickname for his wife, Pearl. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Captain Joseph Christopher McConnell, Jr., U.S. Air Force. During his combat tour in Korea, McConnell flew at least three North American Aviation F-86 Sabre jet fighters: an F-86E and two F-86Fs. He named the airplanes Beauteous Butch, after his wife’s nickname.

Oct 29, 2021 · Beauteous Butch, the mount of a Korean War legend, was named after McConnell’s wife, whose nickname was Butch. For many years it stood as a reminder of a different time and a different kind of pilot.